Variable Rate
This rate of assistance is based on the sea freight cost disadvantage that Tasmanian businesses suffer due to the high cost of shipping goods across Bass Strait.
The variable rate of assistance applies to:
- Northbound domestic goods claims - for eligible goods shipped across Bass Strait that are staying on the mainland of Australia
- Southbound domestic goods claims - for eligible Australian goods shipped to Tasmania across Bass Strait
- Intrastate claims.
The maximum amount of variable assistance paid is $855 per 20 foot equivalent unit (TEU). The freight costs you incur and pay determines the assistance. You may receive a lesser amount per TEU.
For full container or trailer loads (FCLs) of other sizes the rate is adjusted based on the length of the shipping unit e.g. a full 12.2m trailer will be eligible for a maximum assistance of $1710.
For less than full container load (LCL) shipments the rate is adjusted to pay on the net tonnes or m³ shipped. The maximum variable rates for LCLs are:
- Shipments based on tonnes = maximum of $40.71 per tonne
- Shipments based on m³ = maximum of $28.50 per cubic metre.
There is a temporary 25% increase to these rates of assistance for some shipments. Read more about the temporary increase to rates of assistance.
Flat rate
The flat rate of freight assistance applies to:
- Northbound other markets claims - for eligible goods shipped across Bass Strait that are destined for other markets, or if the destination is unknown
- Southbound imported goods claims - for eligible imported goods shipped to Tasmania across Bass Strait.
The amount of assistance paid is $700 per 20 foot equivalent unit (TEU).
For full container or trailer loads (FCL) of other sizes the rate is adjusted based on the length of the shipping unit e.g. a full 12.2m trailer will be eligible for assistance of $1400.
For less than full container load (LCL) shipments the rate is adjusted to pay on the net tonnes or m³ shipped. The flat rates for LCLs are:
- Shipments based on tonnes = $33.33 per tonne
- Shipments based on m³ = $23.33 per cubic metre.
A 15% loading applies to the flat rate for eligible goods being shipped between the mainland of Australia and either King Island or the Furneaux Group.
There is a temporary 25% increase to these rates of assistance for some shipments. Read more about the temporary increase to rates of assistance.
Temporary increase to rates of assistance
For goods that have a date of shipment from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2027 there is a 25% increase in the rates of assistance.
During this period the following rates of assistance apply:
- variable rate, the maximum amount of assistance is $1068.75 per 20 foot equivalent unit (TEU)
- flat rate, the amount of assistance is $875.00 per 20 foot equivalent unit (TEU).
The 25% increase also applies to less than container load shipments (LCLs). We will automatically apply the increase to eligible shipments.
You can find out more about the date of shipment in the Ministerial Directions on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts website.
Claim assessment
After we’ve assessed your claim you will be notified in writing of the amount of assistance you will receive. This will be paid into your nominated bank account.
You can view the assistance received for each shipment in the Centrelink Business Online portal.
If you have a query, you can contact Transport and freight services for further information.